You probably remember the guy who rolled up to the mansion in a hospital gown. It was weird, right? Maybe a little too much? But for Jonathan Johnson, that bizarre "lovesick" stunt actually worked. He didn't just fade into the background of Jenn Tran’s season of The Bachelorette; he became the guy everyone—including Jenn—actually started rooting for.
But the show is old news now. In 2026, the landscape of Bachelor Nation has shifted, and Jonathan's life looks a lot different than it did when he was competing for roses in Australia and New Zealand. If you've been following the breadcrumbs on social media, you know the "Medium King" has been busy.
The Reality of Jonathan From The Bachelorette and Jenn Tran
Let’s get the big question out of the way. Are they together? Honestly, no. It’s been a rollercoaster of "will they, won't they" that kept fans spiraling for over a year. After Jenn’s messy and public breakup with Devin Strader, Jonathan was right there. He was the supportive friend. He was in the front row at Dancing With the Stars cheering her on. They even posted those cozy TikToks that made everyone think a reconciliation was a done deal.
The truth is more platonic. Jonathon recently admitted that while they were incredibly close for a while, distance and life just got in the way. Jenn moved back to Florida to finish her physician assistant school, and Jonathan stayed out west. By mid-2025, he was telling interviewers that they don't really talk much anymore. No drama, no "bad blood," just the reality of two people moving in different directions. It’s kinda sad for the shippers, but it’s the most "real" outcome we’ve seen from the franchise in a minute.
Life After the Rose: Bachelor In Paradise and Beyond
If you caught the 10th season of Bachelor in Paradise that aired recently, you saw a different side of Jonathan. It wasn't all fun and games. In fact, he’s been pretty vocal about the mental health toll that second round of filming took on him.
Paradise is a pressure cooker.
He went in with high hopes but ended up in some pretty strange situations—including that moment where April Kirkwood, from the Golden Bachelor cast, gave him a "save" rose just to keep him on the beach. It was a sweet gesture, but Jonathan has since opened up about feeling "shut out" by some of the connections on the island. He even joked on a podcast that he "should've stayed home" at certain points during the season because the stress of performing for the cameras started to feel like too much.
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What Is Jonathan Doing Now?
Before he was a reality star, Jonathan was a creative director. He hasn't left that world behind. In fact, he’s leaned into it.
- Creative Strategy: He’s still working as a producer and content strategist, helping brands navigate the world of short-form video.
- The "Medium King" Brand: He’s fully leaned into his self-deprecating humor, growing a massive following by being the guy who doesn't take the "influencer" life too seriously.
- Travel and Mishaps: He’s become a bit of a travel influencer, though not always by choice. You might have seen his viral story about almost getting arrested in Italy for a shirtless run after missing a $1,000 flight. It’s that kind of chaotic energy that keeps people following him long after his season ended.
The "Medium King" Philosophy
What makes Jonathan from The Bachelorette stay relevant when so many other contestants vanish? It’s basically his "Medium King" bit. He famously defined it as being a guy who doesn't have the "short king" personality or the "tall king" sex appeal—just a regular dude with a "mid" personality.
People loved it.
In a world of perfectly curated Instagram feeds and guys who act like they're the next Hollywood leading man, Jonathan felt like someone you could actually grab a beer with. He’s 29 now, living in LA, and seems more focused on building a sustainable career in production than chasing every single reality TV opportunity that comes his way.
Why he didn't become The Bachelor
There was a huge push for Jonathan to lead his own season. He had the charm, the looks, and the backstory (being raised by a single mom really resonated with viewers). However, the timing never quite lined up. By the time production was looking for their next lead, Jonathan was already moving toward Paradise and focusing on his creative agency, TheLAB. He’s gone on record saying he was never actually approached for the lead role, which surprised a lot of people given his popularity.
What’s Next for Jonathan?
If you're looking for actionable ways to keep up with him or see what he's up to next, here is the move:
Follow the "Unedited" Content
Jonathan recently launched a YouTube project focused on showing the "real" side of Bachelor Nation stars. He’s using his background in video editing to produce content that isn't filtered through the ABC lens. If you want to see what happens when the producers aren't in the room, that's where you'll find it.
Watch for More Paradise Fallout
With the most recent season of Bachelor in Paradise behind him, Jonathan is in his "reflection era." He’s been doing the podcast circuit—specifically Bachelor Happy Hour and Lightweights—where he's been dropping pretty blunt truths about how the show operates.
Ultimately, Jonathan Johnson managed to do the impossible: he exited the Bachelor franchise with his reputation not only intact but improved. He didn't get the girl, and he didn't get the engagement, but he got a career and a fanbase that actually likes him for who he is, hospital gown and all.